Father’s lasting legacies

June 17, 2011

Father's Day affords us an opportunity to demonstrate our appreciation for what our dads have done for us. For many of us, our dads are no longer with us, but their legacy lives on. This also can give us the occasion to reflect on the legacy we are leaving for the generations to follow.

Moses gave very wise advice to the fathers in Israel just before they were to enter the Promised Land. We find his admonition in Deuteronomy 6:4-9. His first command was that they learn the truth. "Hear, O Israel, the Lord our God, the Lord is one!" In other words, we must get to know God personally. One must have that conviction of the true God and understand him when immersed in a culture that does not recognize absolute truth. Contrary opinions and gods abound everywhere, and a man must know in whom he believes and why he believes. Only the Lord God of the Bible as manifested in Jesus is the true God, and all other entities that are called gods are counterfeits of the devil! The Christian father must be convinced of this truth.

Then Moses spoke of the need to love that truth saying, "You shall love the Lord your God with all your heart, with all your soul, and with all your strength. And these words which I command you this day shall be in your heart." It takes more than knowing facts one must have deep convictions. Without convictions, one can easily be led astray. That is why we speak of Christianity as a relationship with Christ and not a religion. Religion is composed of externals and rituals, but loving Christ is internal. We are informed that God looks on the heart (1 Samuel 16:7), and knows what is lodged in it.

The next instruction is to get what is inside onto the outside. Moses asserts, "You shall teach them diligently to your children." He explains that this be accomplished in several ways. First, dads are to teach their children in a formal way by being the spiritual head of the house. We show our children how to play sports and other activities, so why do we hesitate to instruct them in the word of God? Maybe we better go back to the first command and get to know God personally ourselves!

A second way of teaching is by just living for the Lord. Moses speaks of talking about the Lord in all of the mundane activities of life. Our faith will be caught by our children much easier when our walk backs up our talk. They see right through a phony as do most other folks. Only when we take the Lord seriously enough to demonstrate his life in ours, will we leave a legacy that will make a difference for eternity. By the way, what is the legacy that you are passing onto the next generation. In the words of the song, "May all who come behind us find us faithful."